Philippines.. A mixed experience.
Perhaps im stupid , but im a person who easily thrust other people. Its just to easy to screw me over.. Everwhere im going in SE Asia many people are constantly trying to just screw me over. Why do i think about this?
Yesterday i where coming out of the Central LTR station. LTR is the metro is manila , and its by far the cheapest way to travel trough the city because of the congestion on most roads. People here also drive like crazy and if you want to go over the road its just to walk even when cars are approaching at high speeds. The main cause of death by seamen is actually not on the ship ,but being hit by a car when they are ashore , so im a little bit frightened...
But over to the case! I went of at Central Station and started to look im my Lonely planet book. A old girl came up to me and asked if i needed som help. When she had showed me the direction she asked me if a wanted some company.. Hmm.. i though this where a girl with nothing to do so i accepted. So after walking around the intramuros and the park next to rizal park , baywalk and alot of other things (she really showed me around the metro manila) and as i thanks i took her out to an pretty expensive dinner. (P1000 for the both of us). But when the night came we went into this bar which she recommended. We had to leave our things outside since it was prohibited to bring stuff like cameras inside. So after a couple of beers (red horse by the way. Really good beer with quite a punch) i went to the restroom and when i came back she was gone.. The guard outside came into the toilet and said that she left saying that she where going to my car and we where leaving... When ive run out from the restroom she have vanished.. With my Travel guide and Camera.... I didnt have time to buy travel insurance, and now i have to learn it the hard way..
But.. I met 2 filipinos outside and they wanted to show me around.. I had to buy everything ,but its better to have filipinos with you even though you pay for them also. They also took me to the places where to tourists doesnt know about and then the prices go down.. So after around 3hours at the place ive spent P1500 for drinks for the girls and a lot of beers for us.. I became an VIP and if i call they will pick my up at the hostel.. And P1500 is only around 200kr.. which normally means 4beers in a local bar in Norway.. So even though i payed for the entire company it is still cheap compared to what im used to..
And.. (ive not been lazy!) ive become an Dental Tourist.. Since its along time since my last dental checkup i decieded to do it here in Phil. I found this site on the internet and just went.. It was very expensive compared to what others have payed ,but my teeth where in bad condition.. Im not sure about the work so i will get it looked at in Norway by a Norwegian dentist.. Somehow my thrust in them are higher :)
So manila.. Such a nice city with amazing sunsets, but the trafic and pollution is just out of this world.. I have Asthma ,but i dont need or use any medication , but after living here for some time im guessing that you have to use alot of medication..
So.. in short.. Someone stole my camera , ive become an dental tourist and we went to a strip club.
This aside we went to a strip club after this and just enjoyed the show.. You really do feel like a king when you have one girl sitting on your left side and one on the right side..
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Tricycle:
In Batangas a tricycle driver said that i had to pay P500 for the short trip to the hotel (5mins).. After laghing in his face and asked him if he was joking i managed to bargain it down to P60 (it was at nighttime so i didnt want to walk). Be aware that tricycle is bad for your health. You are sitting close to the road and you will breathe alot of toxic exhaust if there is other cars on the road.
Kalesa. These are used in Intramuros and Chinatown in Manila.. P50 for 30mins is not so bad. Do NOT pay much more than this.
Taxi Drivers: Once you get in point at the meter and ask them to turn them on. Otherwise it can get expensive. Got overcharged the first time i took a taxi ,but after you learn them to use the meter its much cheper. Most times maximum P200 , but a short stop from Ermeta to Makati should go over P130 with moderate traffic.. There is ONE exception to this. If there is heavy traffic give the driver more money and give him a little break.
LRT: 15Peso everywhere you want to go.
Jeepney. Cheap way to get around ,but this is not for beginners (at least in manila). Other places the jeepnes often leave when they are full (which can take upto 1hour, but normally max 30mins) so if you are in a hurry tricycle is a better option.
